ELLIE MOON – ‘PROMISE IT WON’T BE BORING'

Liverpool and Madrid bred musician, Ellie Moon was Tidal ‘Indie Britain’ front page news with her second single, the joyful, retro tinged ‘Promise It Won’t Be Boring’… future accolades are calling. We want to know more pre-Moonisms! Interview by Kelly Munro:

Tell us – how long have you been making music?

Ellie : “This sounds so cheesy, but like most kids when I was little I’d always make songs up and also used to write little poems and stuff like that…

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…I suppose that fascination followed me through teen-hood, when the traditional angst kicked in and forced me to “like-totally-express-myself” (fortunately not through the medium of dance, but in song form). I remember one of the first songs I “properly” wrote was when I was about 15. It was most definitely super cringe and about some love interest that wasn’t even real… haha”

What have been some of the highlights, so far, on your musical journey?

“I think this project is actually the most exciting thing I’ve probably ever done. From leaving school and going on a journey of artistic and self-discovery, growing up alongside this project over the past couple of years. Maturing with the music to some extent. A lot of the songs are almost like time stamps of new life experiences. Also creating and recording the EP meeting all the cool people along the way.”

Your latest single is called ‘Promise It Won’t be Boring’. Have you ever broken a promise? If so, tell all!

“Surprisingly not, I mean not as an adult haha! I do have a big mouth and a dying urge to gossip sometimes. I’m always the friend everyone comes to off-load to and I take that duty very seriously. 

It’s like I’m harbouring all their secrets with no one to tell. So instead I channel it into my writing a lot of the time. And if anyone asks: “is that song about me?” I always say “Noooo! It’s just a story I made up”.

Tell us more about the single, ‘Promise It Won’t Be Boring’. Is there a meaning behind the song? A story attached to it?

Listen to "Promise It Won't Be Boring": https://smarturl.it/EllieMoonPIWBB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiselliemoon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com...

Yes there is! The song was actually inspired by a wild weekend I had up in Glasgow visiting some dear pals of mine. Lyrically it’s the antithesis of a party anthem and I wanted to convey that sense of impending doom you feel at the end of a night out – but the reality is the next day is never as bad as we like to make it out to be.

I also wanted to capture the fact that we as young adults love drama and hangovers, the drama of a hangover, drama in general….. and have an unwavering sense of invincibility and originality. 

Are we invincible? Yes, of course. However, we are typically not as original as we like to think we are and I have tried to capture this by paying homage to, and recognising the inspiration of, previous generations in a number of ways – via the “retro” production on the track, referencing the music of The Beatles and one of my favourite quotes from Bowie which is where the song title actually came from “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise that it won’t be boring”.

Your forthcoming EP is called ‘Moonisms’. What is a Moonism?

“Whilst working on the project, specifically the past year or so, the more I was writing and kind of understanding in which direction I wanted to go as an artist the more of the same little phrases were cropping up. I suppose it’s kind of like my own idioms that I use normally I would put into my lyrics. I’d show people my songs and they’d comment on the way I phrased things and sort of coined the term ‘moonism’ for these little turns of phrase. I would say a “moonism” is the tongue in cheekiness of the lyrics.”

What albums do you never get tired of listening to?

Blue – Joni Mitchell
Hunky Dory – David Bowie
Speaking in Tongues – Talking Heads
Alright, Still – Lily Allen
Melodrama – LORDE
Yesterdays Gone – Loyle Carner
Bad Contestant – Matt Maltese
Voyager – Moonchild
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles

What can we expect from you this year?

Planning to keep recording and releasing music and getting a band together to play live whenever we are able to.

We look forward to live moonisms!

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Words: Kelly Munro

BUGEYE: FOR ‘WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT’!

Digital single ‘When The Lights Go Out’ – 24th April 2020 via Reckless Yes |Pre-save  https://ffm.to/a79olom This precedes the debut album, also produced by Paul Tipler, that is coming in June!

Art by Julia Woolams, 31% Wool

Art by Julia Woolams, 31% Wool

The lights of hope HAVE gone out in the eyes of many. Praise the music goddess for Bugeye, shining aural light into our lives with a pure PunkPop passion;

“It’s Friday night, at last the working week’s over, and guess what, it was a bit of a shitty week… again. Nothing changed, everything’s the same, so we go out and we drink with our mates to escape it all. Legendary night of self-medication, the downward spiral, before the week starts all over again. 

This song is about depression and using alcohol as a pick me up to freedom, only to find you are trapped in a cycle.” (Bugeye)

Many of us have been here. Even in day-structure-free lockdown, we can repeat this pattern. 2020 is a zeitgeist for humanity. At all levels, already with future and historic soundtracks.

Generating love on the culled culture grassroots circuit, artists who shape the rising underground in “Austerity” (A-Pop?), emit extra stardust. With nothing to lose, they give all.

Bugeye are one such band. They’ve a debut LP bonus – ‘Ready Steady Bang’ – in the wings for June! The excitement fizzing from their producer, Paul Tipler, when we chatted at one of the band’s shows was crackling before they’d even released recent (and rightly praised on high) taster singles. This year, they are part of the collaborative, innovative Reckless Yes (label matesinclude LIINES and Mark Morriss).

There is so much more to each lovely Bugeye gang member – Angela Martin – guitar and vocals,  Grace Healey – keyboard,  Paula Snow – bass, Kerrie Smith – drums – photographed by Julia Woolams

There is so much more to each lovely Bugeye gang member – Angela Martin – guitar and vocals, Grace Healey – keyboard, Paula Snow – bass, Kerrie Smith – drums – photographed by Julia Woolams

Dropping into the kind of April that nobody can fully comprehend, ‘When The Lights Go Out’ is another facet of what already sounds like an LP of the year on these teased singles, alone. It’s the sound of a space-cadet school disco exploding euphoria in shimmery techni-coloured layers of HD instrumental sounds, vocals included. Musicality powered poptastic breaks like these should put Bugeye on every serious “must-get-tickets-for” bucket list to feel these songs live.

With our minds on so much right now, only the strongest sounds can earworm. We can’t go out but also can’t complain if we are well, safe and fed. We riot in isolation joys of new found appreciations if lucky. Shout and dance along defiantly to this deliciously rhythmed HIT. Bugeye remain one of the musical groups that would play Top Of The Pops in a parallel dimension bringing light to sometimes dark subjects.

Disco-punks Bugeye are teasing their indie debut album with the release of new single Don't Stop, via independent label Reckless Yes on 28 February 2020. 'a ...

With their tour cancelled for safety, Bugeye entertain online with live sets and informed, engaging podcasts. Watch their spaces for the next ones.

Born in the late ‘90s (gigs included The Astoria and Wembley), Bugeye took a break until 2015. They keep pushing boundaries of sound while maintaining and expanding their polished live performance. 

With praise from key spotters like John Kennedy, God Is In The TV, Louder Than War, Get In Her Ears, Janice Long, Steve Lamacq and ace independent / international radio play, their time is NOW.

‘For When The Lights Go Out’ is another expansive Bugeye musical production that will turn our inner lights straight back on.

Connect to their socials via https://bugeyeband.co.uk

Words: Caffy St Luce

MOSES: ALMOST EVERYTHING IS BULLSHIT…

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Zeenager faves MOSES are the ultimate indie-pop band. I defy anyone to listen to ANY track on Almost Everything Is Bullshit, and not have it stuck in their heads the entire day. This album is full of the feel-good lockdown lullabies you’ve been waiting for. 

Despite the title being one of the most relatable statements out there at the moment (especially if you find yourself watching the news or in the Twittersphere) this album is 37 minutes, ten tracks, of pure summer tune escapism. 

It starts with the foot-stomping live favourite  Cause You Got Me, Victor’s uniquely addictive sharp but somehow soothing voice reminding us that when times are hard, people are out there to help us through. Truly, a song that we all need right now, eh? Then it’s onto ‘You Need L’, which has that pure 90’s feel to it, with an intense guitar solo that’s somewhere between your favourite grunge band and yet still so fresh and happening. 

River Thames comes next, and how could it not be included? Nothing more needs to be said for it, apart from it is perfect, bouncy pop goodness. This, followed by Who Needs The Money, a psych-blues lament that has Victor asking ‘Who needs the money when we got love?’ Oh, my heart. 

Latest single, Waiter features next – probably my favourite MOSES track if I was forced to choose. A hauntingly biography of the struggle of following your dreams. ‘Cause now I’m Just a bloody waiter…’ Relatable, as fuck.

Whilst Joy wins all the catchy chorus awards: ‘Where is my life?/I want the dance the joy/And be happy all the time..’ The deepness of the band’s lyrics is laid bare here, with maturity beyond their years. MOSES have the ability in all their tracks to hide their intelligence lyrics behind super catchy hooks, that they catch you unawares at all the right moments.

Basically is a pure unapologetic revenge track, elements of the best of the early 2000’s pop-punk revival sound here, with that unique MOSES bounce along magick. This leads into Crocodile, a slightly slower paced but still powerfully head-bobbingly good. 

Findings is MOSES at their most vulnerable as highlighted in the fantastic if a little controversial, music video that accompanied this. It’s climatic in many senses of the word. Constantin, a song long time fans will recognise, finishes the album with the band showing the true depth of their prose. It’s pure indie goodness.

But, that’s just my isolated ramblings, you should check out the album yourself below, and I KNOW I’ll be seeing you at a MOSES gig, when this is all over…

Listen to Almost Everything Is Bullshit on Spotify. MOSES · Album · 2020 · 10 songs.

Words: Dizzy Spell

LIVING THE STREAM, BALCONY FESTIVAL NO.2

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No human is currently “Living The Dream”. But… come together (again) on Saturday 11th April for Balcony online music festival stream show. We meet via Joyzine YouTube at 1pm GMT. Hopefully you’ll be uplifted by this united tipped talent treat presented by Louise Schofield of BBC Sesh, hosted on a variety show of virtual stages by key new music supporters. We are honoured to be part of this.

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#2020vision turned out to be a (wonderfully sound-tracked) tangent on the twist of the plot as vision cleared, reevealing kindness -v- callousness and sycophantic stupidity -v-helpful resourcefulness. Artists at all levels, locked down but joining in, where more personal, live streamed performance is concerned.

Birthmarks will play our virtual stage. Their debut LP, ‘…And Then The Rain Stopped’ (review) is something else!

Birthmarks will play our virtual stage. Their debut LP, ‘…And Then The Rain Stopped’ (review) is something else!

Saturday 11th April 2020 from 1pm
Thomas Truax – Joyzine Stage
Weekend Recovery – CroCroLand Stage
ARXX – Loud Women Stage
Stephen Evens – Gigslutz Stage
Birthmarks – TheZineUK Stage
Jack Found – Benumu Stage
Call.Me.Tiece (Girlhood) on the Bechdel Sound Test Stage
Cookie – Quarantini Stage
ALOHA DEAD – Sonic Tonic Stage
Kerri Watt – God Is In The TV Zine. Stage

Thank you Science & Nature for, no, not fashion, but passion. Communicators and Performers compelled to a #TwitterFestival of events on multiple platforms including @Tim_Burgess#timstwitterlisteningparty |Manic Street Preachers sharing #LoveRecordStores anecdotes | @steve_lamacq calling “new/new-ish artists who are live streaming a ‘gig’ for his #Recommends

On line quizzes by Trampolene and @MarkStack4 (the latter promoting new bands at the same time – including Tiger Mimic who graced BalconyOnlineFest No.1 which raised over £750 for Musicians Against Homelessness a few weekends ago)

Please send us more of your #BalconyOnlineFest TV star snaps! (pix courtesy of Joyzine)

Please send us more of your #BalconyOnlineFest TV star snaps! (pix courtesy of Joyzine)

We can all get involved and feel personal while staying home for Safety First. Created by independent UK blogs and promoters, Balcony features exclusive performances for good causes.

Our NHS is the beating heart of this nation from birth to death for most people. Extra LOVE this weekend – with the added boost of finding new favourites via our interdependent media network.

Our talented entertainers finding ways to do what they do best, even though the future looks bleak for the very things that we are turning to, creativity and performance.

Moaners gonna moan. A few people have complained that there are too many live streams at the moment (as if they can’t tear their face away and watch, or even do something else!).

s somebody who experienced back-line-share-hell-tragedy occasionally – and other first (or second now) world problems – I miss gigs like hell, but I am right down the front for all these amazing artists inviting us to be with them like this. 

Seeya on the balcony where our communities cheer our true leaders in far from celebratory times. Balcony is more than an online festival, this is a socially inclusive building brick of future music artists x industry x media. Stream on.

Please invite your friends and selves to the #BalconyOnlineFest 2 facebook event!

and talking of #ourNHS – 1 (Thank you forever) + 2 (another of the bands woven into our documentary’s tapestry) = these 3:

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Words: Caffy St Luce.